Recently, Hino contracted with DWS Fleet Management, an independent testing company with extensive experience in fleet truck analysis and comparisons, to run a SAE-type fuel economy test on its 2009 Hino Truck model 268 (25,950 lbs. GVW) in a head-to-head comparison with a key competitor.
Darry Stuart, president & CEO of DWS Fleet Management Services (www.darrystuart.com), reported the following test conditions and results:
The test was conducted in Jacksonville, Fla., at the
I-295 & SR-9A exchange on days where the temperature ranged between 80 – 93 degrees F. It was sunny and bright with no discernable wind (dead calm). Six different tests were conducted on a 36-mile real-world route that included traffic, traffic lights and even and uneven road surfaces, with all trucks driven by seasoned fleet drivers.
The test vehicles were inspected and adjusted to meet the general standards of the TMC/SAE fuel consumption test guidelines. Major inspection points included tire pressure (105 PSI), brakes, lights, fluids, body size, body height, fuel lines, tire diameter, brake adjustments, lubes, air restriction, connections and the preventive maintenance schedule.
The air conditioning units were on for all of the test periods to ensure consistency in engine power usage and real life operating criteria in warmer climates, such as this repeated test area. Specially requested larger external fuel tanks were acquired, prepared and mounted on each of the trucks for accurate observation and calculation of fuel usage. The tanks were narrow in depth while having extended height to create room for 18 gallons of diesel fuel. The tanks were constructed of fiberglass and with sealed fuel connections for fuel draw and fuel return. The fuel connections and tire pressures were checked a second time just prior to the test to ensure there was no change.
The test trucks were loaded with tile ballast and accurately weighed at certified scales to give a true simulation of a loaded truck. No allocated ballast was required. The weights were all equal at 22,660 lbs., with no variance. There were six separate tests that included a pace vehicle to keep the other two trucks at a consistent speed, ranging between 45 and 60 MPH. There was a seventh run of only the Hino to test the effects of a fuel cooler. Each driver has different operation habits; therefore, to ensure a minimal margin of error, the two trucks, drivers and observers were rotated after each test. The vehicles were to be driven normally as to ensure real-life driving conditions without specific intent to maximize fuel economy.
The results
The Hino averaged more than 15% better than a comparably equipped 2008 competitive truck during the fuel test. According to Glenn Ellis, vice president, marketing & dealer operations for Hino, repeating the 36-mile test six times ensured that the final results were statistically significant, so that unusual conditions in any one circuit did not skew the results.
